Breaking News: As pressure mounts on European nations to pick a side in the Iran conflict, Italy’s leader just gave an answer no one in Washington wanted to hear,Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has firmly declared that Italy will not enter the war against Iran….see more

When the United States and Israel attacked Iran on Saturday, Europe’s leaders were largely left out of the loop.

Italy’s defense minister, Guido Crosetto, was left so unaware of the impending strike that he had traveled to the Mideast for a family vacation and had to be evacuated by military plane.

Now, European countries like Italy are being drawn into the widening orbit of the Iran conflict, committing military assets to the region even as they try to maintain a veneer of neutrality.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has firmly declared that Italy will not enter the war against Iran. As US and Israeli military strikes continue and Iran retaliates with missile and drone attacks across the Middle East, Meloni stressed that Italy is not at war, has received no formal request to join hostilities, and will not participate in direct combat.

Italy has tens of thousands of citizens and military personnel stationed across the Middle East. Meloni said Rome would bolster defensive aid to partners in the region and take steps to protect Italian nationals abroad, but drew a clear line at combat involvement. She called for calm, restraint, and adherence to existing international agreements.

Italy joins a growing list of European nations distancing themselves from the conflict.

Germany’s Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil declared “this is not our war,” Spain denounced the strikes as illegal, and Switzerland said both the US-Israeli and Iranian actions violate international law.